My Ilex (Holly) is flowering, Mrs or Mr?
I grew this variegated Ilex (Holly) from a seedling I found in the garden many years ago. Ilex trees are well known for their bright red berries that appear around December, just in time to provide Christmas decorations indoors. This one has never had berries because (so I thought) there were no male trees nearby. I must point out that I am amazingly ignorant about trees. I feel ashamed. I couldn’t even recognise an Elm a few weeks ago. Now I have discovered that I don’t know much about Ilex either.
Ilex flowering
Today I noticed it was flowering. I usually miss the flowers as the foliage is variegated so they do not show up very well. I’m thinking that this is a female tree because it has such lovely pinkish white flowers. Male trees must have flowers too, but not as pretty and dainty as these.
Then I remember I am now a blogger with nothing better to do, so I Google “Ilex + flowers”. I discover that Ilex trees are mostly dioecious – they have separate male and female trees, each with their own flowers – I knew that already! Then I look at the pictures of male and female flowers.
Would you believe it, mine is a Mr not a Mrs. If you click on the picture you can see that each flower has four stamens sticking out, showing it is male. Female flowers would lack the stamens and the centre of the flower would later swell to become a berry. I will never get berries…ever…unless I buy a female tree.
Have I got room for a tree? Stop…..please don’t go there.
Buy a book about trees instead.
11 comments
That’s a shame about the lack of berries. I have the same problem with my Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ (female). I need to find her a male plant if I ever want to see berries. ;)
Well, I think the variegated leaves make your boy holly a winner on his own. Isn’t that funny, how plants have genders too?! I’ve never seen ilex flowers before, thanks for showing them. Sorry about the no berries…
It’s the same with my Viburnum davidii, so I never get to see those electric blue berries, which is why I bought it in the first place.
I have a very sick looking holly at the moment – extremely brown.
I totally agree with you re getting a book on trees.
I never know how to tell the difference. I’m told my kiwi will fruit here, if I have a pollinator. Or do a have a pollinator and no female? I don’t have any idea how people know these things, but I’m glad someone does. Good detective work.
There are some hollies about that have berries by themselves, they don’t need another one. So that’s the one to get if you ever consider getting another one. ;-)
I have a self-fertilising holly (Ilex meserveae blue angel) – it’s very slow-growing, you could easily squeeze in a little one ;)
But mine is looking very sick at the moment too – mine’s going yellow rather than brown, VP, but I think it’s suffering from lack of rain :(
“Male trees must have flowers too, but not as pretty and dainty as these.”
- I like your logical train of thought :) I must admit there are not many trees that I can recognise and should do something to remedy the situation. I can recommened my only tree book ‘Meetings with Remarkable Trees’ by Thomas Pakenham.
Hi EG, oh how funny! I would have thought it a female too, because the flowers are so pretty. We have those variegated hollies here, and they get a few berries, not a lot though. They all do get berries so they must be pollinated by the gigantic American hollies that seem to pollinate every other holly in my area. Don’t suppose you have any of those in your neighborhood? Maybe a nice Blue Prince would work?
Frances
Now EG, there have to be Misters in addition to the Missus in order to have those bright red berries! I bet some of your neighbors may have a Missus ilex somewhere that is quite happy with your Mister. And I am sure he is pretty even without berries?
I am hopeless about tree recognition too. And picking their gender. (Often it’s difficult with humans too.) As you say, Easy, that’s one of the great things about being a blogger, we learn and learn. Our knowledge expands but not our gardens, hence your dilemma. Cheers, catmint.
Make one of your neighbours get one. Bees won’t know the difference. If there are still any around your way that is.
What a treat to see unscathed holly leaves. My super snails aren’t put out my the sharp points on the leaves.
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